THE  WATAUGA  BOYS 


IN  THE 


GREAT  CIVIL  WAR, 


BY 


J.  B.  MILLER. 


Library 

OF  THE 

University  of  NortK  Carolina 


This  boo] 


C.C.  Plillcr 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00032733052 

This  book  must  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


Form  No.   471 


THE  WATAUGA  BOYS 


IN  THE 


GREAT  CIVIL  WAR, 


BY 


J.  B.  MILLER. 


■ 


$>ufkar's  InUnduttinn 


The  following  pages  give  a  true  history  of  the  volunteers  who 
served  in  the  Western  Army,  from  Watauga  County,  N.  0.  The 
campaigns  and  engagements  given  in  which  the  58th  N.  C.  Eegi- 
ment  served,  include  the  companies  from  Watauga  Co. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  awful  conflict  between  the  two  sec- 
tions— the  North  and  the  South —  two  great  statesmen  were  chosen 
leaders—  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  Jefferson  Davis,  President  Lin- 
coln had  decidedly  the  advantage  in  every  respect.  He  had  un- 
der his  control  twenty  six  States,  most  of  which  were  more  popu- 
lous than  the  Southern  States,  and  several  Territories,  and  a  steady 
flow  of  em  igration  from  all  Europe, —  yes,  from  all  the  civilized 
world.  He  was  President  of  a  rich  and  well-organized  government 
He  had  the  United  States  Treasury,  the  Army  and  Navy,  and  was 
in  possession  of  all  the  fortificatious,  both  North  and  South. 

On  the  other  hand,  President  Davis,  the  chosen  leader  of  the  11 
Southern  States,  which  composed  the  Confederacy,  without  money, 
without  an  army,  without  a  fleet,  without  arms,  organized  a  gov- 
ernment, and  maintained  it  in  the  face  of  all  these  odds  and  disad- 
vantages for  over  four  years. 

Had  the  conditions  been  reversed,  what  would  have  been  the  re- 
sult? Jefferson  Davis  was,  without  doubt,  one  of  the  greatest  men 
America  has  ever  produced.  The  number  of  troops  enlisted  in  the 
Conlederate  States  during  the  war  was  about  600,000.  North  Car- 
olina furnished  over  150,000.  She  surrendered  at  Appomattox, 
more  than  twice  as  many  muskets  as  did  any  other  State,  and  at 
Greensboro  more  of  her  soldiers  were  among  the  paroled,  than  from 
any  of  her  sister  states.  When  we  took  the  oath  of  allegience  to 
support  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States  at  Greens- 
boro, we  meant  to  comply  with  every  condition  therein  contained. 
The  Southern  soldiers  returned  to  their  wasted  homes  and  without 
a  parallel,  became  law-abiding  citizens,  expecting  of  course,  the 
protection  of  the  government.  But  alas!  That  awful  period  of  Car- 
pet Bag  rule,  and  Reconstruction  followed,  which  for  a  few  years 
seemed  more  desperate  and  aggravating  if  possible,  than  the  hor-  jo 
rors  of  war.  Many  of  the  best  men  of  the  State  were  disfranchised,  v 
and  some  imprisoned.  W.  W.  Holdeu  became  Gov.  and  acted  the 
traitor  its  no  other  North  Carolinian  ever  did.     He  held  within  his 

i.  >i 


II. 

grasp  the  power  to  administer  justice,  and  help  to  raise  and  defend 
a  helpless  and  down-trodden  people;  but  instead,  he  did  all  in  his 
power  to  heap  reproach  aud  injustice  upon  the  people  of  his  native 
State.  When  impeached,  tried  and  found  guilty  of  his  treasonable 
and  unlawful  acts,  his  pretended  friends  failed  to  come  to  his  relief. 

The  patriotic  people  of  the  ''Old  North  State"  threw  off  the  yoke 
of  despotism  and  oppression,  and  restored  the  State  to  a  good  and 
acceptable  government. 

North  Carolina  having  made  such  a  record  in  the  war  between 
the  states,  Watauga  County,  by  this  sketch,  has  set  up  her  claim 
that,  according  to  population,  she  furnished  as  many  troops  as  any 
other  county  in  the  State. 

It  has  been  my  sincere  desire  to  place  upon  record  every  soldiers 
name  who  enlisted  and  went  forth  from  Watauga  County,  to  de- 
fend his  native  laid,  home,  and  loved  ones,  and  then  give  the  cam- 
paigns through  which  they  served,  and  the  many  bloody  fields  upon 
which  they  faught.  But  the  lack  of  information  which  was  to  be 
given  by  Mr.  H.  A.  Davis  of  the  1st  N.  C.  Cavalry,  aud  Dr.  J.  B. 
Philips  of  the  37th  N.  C.  infantry,  makes  it  impossible  for  me  to 
write  up  the  history  of  those  who  served  in  the  Eastern  Armies. 
The  lists  in  this  sketch  are  not  perfect,  having  been  gotten  up  from 
memory,  aud  an  imperfect  record  kept  at  Boone.  It  is  hoped  that 
thisdesiiei  information  may  be  obtained  and  and  given  in  our  sec- 
ond volume.  I  therefore  ask  of  my  old  comrades  who  chance 
to  see  these  pages  that  they  send  me  the  names  of  those  not  appear- 
ing in  the  lists  or  a  correction  of  any  error  if  any  has  bean  made. 
Any  information  received  from  any  of  you  will  be  highly  apprecia- 
ted. 

Sincerely  Yours, 

J.  B.  MILLER. 


"0 


CHAPTER    I. 


Troops  From  Watauga  County. 

These  Companies  were  mustered,  into  service  ami  joined  the 
58th  Regiment,  commanded  by  John  B.  Palmer,  at  Johnson's  De- 
pot, Tenn.  in  the  summer  of  1862. 

Company  "D"  was  organized  at  Boone,  by  electing 
D.  C.  Harman  Capt., 
B.  F.  Baird  1st  Lieut,  * 

W.  P.  Mast  2nd  Lieut., 
D.  F.  Baird  3rd  Lieut. 
Capt.  Harman  resgined  in  1862.    Then  B.  F   Baird  was  promot- 
ed to  Capt.,  W.  P.  Mast  to  1st  Lieut.,    D.  F.  Baird  to  2nd  Lieut., 
A.  F.  Davis  elected  3rd  Lieut. 

Capt.  B.  F.  Baird,  after  the  surrender,  returned  to  his  home  on 
Watauga  River  and  conducted  his  farm  and  was  successful  in  his 
efforts,  and  was  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  the  county.  He  was 
What  we  might  term  a  model  man.  In  battle  he  was  cool,  com- 
posed, and  thoughtful.  He  was  one  of  the  few  men  that  never 
dodged  when  a  ball  whizzed  by  him.  He  was  as  brave  as  any  who 
ever  inarched  under  a  banner  for  freedom's  cause.  He  died  June 
21st,  1901,  aged  69  Y.  5  M.  13D. 

Lieut.  D.  F.  Baird  was  twice  wounded,  first  at  Chickahominy, 
then  seriously  at  New  Hope  Church,  Georgia,  a  minnie  ball  pass- 
ing through  his  breast  above  the  heart.  He  was  also  a  brave  offi- 
cer. He  returned  to  his  home  on  Watauga  River  after  the  surren- 
der and  is  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  county,  has  filled  the  office  of 
Sheriff,  aud  is  now  a  successful  fanner  and  model  citizen. 

Names  of  Non -Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates  Co.  D. 


Mast  F  P 
Hodges  Lark  in 
Mast  J  A 
Dugger  J  W 


Cox  Braxton, 
Danner  J, 
Glenn  Simeon 
Gwvnn  A 


Hately  Lafayett  Harman  J  W 
Beech  J  W  Harman  E  C 

Cornell  J  Henson  J  J 

Cornell  B  Hufman  G  D 

Isaacs  R  J  Townsend  Joel 

Townsend  Jacob  Brewer  Riley 
Presnell  S  A  Gragg  Empsy 
Sifford  G  H  Beech  J  W 


Presnell  W  W, 
Thompson  J  A 
Norris  E  J 
Greene  J 
Kilby  W  E 
Hicks  Matthias 
Cornell  John 
Crisenberg  J  N 
Laurence  J  J 
Presnell  B  L 
Roland  M 
Sifford  John 


Danner  A 
Dyer  D  C 
Greene  Sol. 
Harman  EG 
Harman  GC 
Cornell  A 
Holars  Wm 
Hodges  GW 
McLane  H  F 
Ward  M 
Moody  H  H 
Lusk  Elcanah 


2 
Strickland  M     Davis  G  W         Trivett  Riley         Danner  Anderson 
Tester  F  P         Shook  J  D  Tester  R  Green  Jeremiah 

Thomas  H         Hodges  Eiley     Townsend  C  Harman  Andrew 

Townsend  M      Townsemi  L  D 

Company  "I"  58th  N.  C.  Troops,  Infantry. 

Company  '*!"  was  organized  at  Boone  by  electing 
William  Miller  Capt. 
William  Hodges  1st  Lieut. 
J.  C.  McGhee  2nd  Lieut.  ' 
James  Horton  3rd  Lieut. 

In  1863  Capt  Miller  resigned.  Then  William  Hodges  was  pro- 
moted to  Capt,  J.  C.  McGhee  to  1st  Lieut,  James  Horton  to  2nd. 
Lieut.,  J.  B.  Miller  elected  3rd  Lieut. 

James  Horton  died  in  1863.  J.  B.  Miller  promoted  to  2nd  Lieut 
W.  S.  Davis  elected  3rd  Lieut.  These  officers  served  till  the  reor- 
ganization by  Gen  Joseph  E.  Johnson  in  March  1865,  when  Com- 
panies UG"  and  ''I''  were  consolidated.  J.  C  Long  was  made  Capt 
J.  B.  Miller  promoted  to  1st  Lieut  J.  R.  Norris  2nd  Lieut.  Serv- 
ed till  the  surrender.  Lieuts.  J.  C.  McGhee  and  W.  S.  Davis  were 
dropped  as  supernumerary  officers,  and  went  home. 

The  following  list  consists  of  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates,  viz: 

Names: — Bingham  Win,  Bishop  Samuel,  Brown  Wm,  Brown  John, 
Brown  Richard,  Blackburn  John,  Bently  Wm,  Bryan  John  G. 
Cook  Wm,  Cottrell  C  J,  Campbell  Ruius,  Corn ett  John,  Cornett  I, 
Cooper  James,  Davis'  Elbert,  Davis  W  S,  Davis  A  F,  Davis  Asa, 
DuggerJohn,  Eggers  Landrine,  Eggers  Riley,  Eggers  Hugh,  Egg- 
ers  John,  Eller  A  P,  Fletcher  Burt,  Farthing  E  H,  Greene  Amos, 
Gragg  Smith,  Greene  Benjamin,  Greene  Augustin,  Hagaman  Isaac 
Holemau  James,  Holder  Thomas,  Holemau  Thomas,  Hodges  Lark- 
in,  Hodges  Riley,  Holder  David,  Hilliard  Bartlett,  Hilliard  Alfred 
Hayes  Joseph,  Hodges  Wm  Jr,  Horton  Wm,  Isaacs  James,  Isaacs 
Hugh,  Isaacs  Noah,  Johnson  John,  Johnson  Jacob,  Johnson  Brack 
Miller  Ephraim,  Miller  Marshal,  Miller  Franklin,  Miller  L  D, 
Miller  Calvin,  Miller  John  sen.  Miller  John,  Miller  J  B,  Miller  Al- 
fred H,  Mitchell  Mike,  Mitchell  Robert,  Michael  John,  Michael 
Isaac,  Moody  G  W,  Marlow  Johu,  Norris  Thomas,  Norris  Jacob, 
Norris  John,  Oliver  John,  Potter  Levi,  Prjfit  Wm,  Profit  John, 
Profit  Jessee  (Died)  Swift  Willborn,  Smith  Nelson,  Seats  Robert  E, 
Tugman  James,  Tugman  B  F,  Thomas  Kire,  Trivett  Jessee, Trivett 
Lazarus,  Vandyke  Elkanah,  Vandyke  Manuel,  Woodrihg  Marcus, 
Woodring  Rufus,  Winbarger  Hiram,  Winbarger  Levi,  Winbarger 
Abel,  Wilson  William,  Wilson  Bill,    Wilson  Lemuel,  Wilson  John. 


3 
CHAPTER  U. 

The  Watauga  Boys. 

The  Regiment  (58th, N.C.  Infantry)  went  into  camp  at  Johnston 
Depot,  (now  Johnston  city)  Tenn.  in  the  summer  of  1862  and  were 
drilled  and  equipped  and  made  ready  for  active  service  by  the  1st 
of  Sept.  when  they  were  removed  to  Cumberland  Gap. 

The  Regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  John  B.  Palmer  was  moved  to 
Cumberland  Gap  in  Sept.  1862.  The  enemy,  on  the  approach  of  our 
command,  evacuated  the  gap,  spiking  their  heavy  cannon,  and 
throwing  them  over  a  precipice  so  they  became  useless  to  the  south- 
erners. One  very  large  one  we  called  "Long  Tom."  Many  of  the 
boys  had  the  measles  before  reaching  Cumberland  gap  and  were 
kept  in  convalisent  camp  about  ten  miles  east  of  the  Gap  under 
charge  of  Dr  Lewis.  I  remember  that  several  of  us  applied  for  per- 
mits to  go  to  the  command,  which  the  Dr  granted,  and  before  we 
got  there  our  legs  began  to  feel  very  heavy.  To  reach  our  compa- 
nies we  had  to  assen<i  the  steep  mountain  on  the  right  of  the  gap  to 
the  very  top.  The  higher  up  the  colder  the  air,  when  on  top  and 
tents  fixed  we  soon  become  chilled  and  some  of  us  were  not  able  for 
duty  the  next  morning.  The  relapse  that  followed  was  much  worse 
than  the  first  attack.  On  the  retreat  of  the  Federal  garrison  Col. 
John  B.  Palmer  was  placed  in  command  of  the  "Gap"  with  his  regi- 
ment Caper's  Georgia  Battalion  and  a  battery  of  artillery,  until  the 
prisoners  could  be  paroled  and  the  captured  stores  rescued,  after 
which  it  moved  into  Kentucky,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Braxton  Bragg, 
but  unexpectedly  met  Bragg's  Army  on  its  retreat.  Not  long  after 
the  retreat  of  Bragg  from  Kentucky  Col.  Palmer  was  ordered  to  Big 
Creek  Gap  near  Jacksboro  Tenn. and  placed  in  command  with  the 
55th  Georgia,  Thornton's  Alabama  Legion,  Kolb's  Alabama  Battery 
and Baird's  North  Carolina  Battalion  (cavalry).  The  58th  North 
Carolina  remained  in  this  Brigade,  at  this  post  during  the  winter  of 
1862  and  1863.  The  winter  was  spent  in  out  post  duty  guarding 
this  and  other  passes  iu  the  Cumberland  mountains,  and  making  sev- 
eral expeditions  into  Kentucky,  most  of  which  were  commanded  by 
Capt.  Miller.  The  writer  well  remembers  being  along  on  one  of  these 
expeditions  and  the  strict  dissipline  under  which  we  were  subjected. 
Every  man  was  required  to  keep  his  place.  No  stragling  nor  "for- 
aging" was  allowed  when  Capt.  Miller  was  in  command.  It  was 
wise  and  prudent  of  the  captain,  for  there  were  numerous  "Bush 
whackers"  on  the  ridges  watching  our  every  movement,  men  who 
neither  favored  the  cause  of  the  North  nor  the  South.  They  prefer- 
ed  to  be  allowed  to  do  as  they  pleased — did  not  want  either  army  to 
invade  their  soil.  But  those  toilsome  force  marches  with  their  at- 
tendent  responsibilities  proved  too  much  for  the  brave  old  veteran, 


4 
who  delighted  in  such  service.  He  did  service  in  the  U.  S.  Army, 
when  the  Cherochee  Indians  were  removed,  for  which  he  received  a 
pension  until  his  death.  He  also  volunteered  in  the  Mexican  war 
but  his  command  was  never  called  into  active  service.  After  the 
close  of  the  civil  war  he  moved  to  Middle  Tenn.  where  he  died  Mch. 
the  1st  1 908,  aged  93  years. 

The  guard  duty  while  at  Big  Creek  Gap  were  excessive,  and  the 
command  suffered  severely  from  privation  and  exposure  which  was 
the  cause  of  many  deaths  by  Pneumonia  and  relapse  of  measles. 

The  lack  of  necessary  hospital  accommodations  was  very  much  a- 
gainst  the  Physicians  doing  their  duty  in  careing  for  the  sick,  con- 
sequently the  death  rate  while  here  was  appalling.  The  sincere  de- 
sire of  the  author  has  been  to  account  for  every  man  who  gave  his 
life  for  the  lost  cause  but  has,  so  far,  failed  to  obtain  the  desired 
information. 

In  the  summer  of  1863  the  Brigade  was  placed  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  J.  W.  Frasier  and  stationed  at  Clinton  Tenn.  and  various 
other  points  in  East  Tennessee.  While  at  Clinton  the  Brigade  was 
ordered  to  Montacillo  Kentucky  to  oppose  a  force  that  was  march- 
ing in  the  direction  of  Kuoxville  Tenn.,  but  on  our  approach,  they 
made  good  their  escape  and  Cen.  Frasier  returned  to  Clinton.  On 
this  march  we  crossed  the  Cumberland  mountain  at  a  gap,  or  rather 
a  slightly  elevated  platau  north  west  of  Knoxville  which  extended  for 
many  miles  — a  railroad  now  passing  through  the  s.une section  through 
which  we  inarched.  The  command  was  next  ordered  to  Bell's  Bidge. 
The  object  was  to  look  after  both  Clinton  and  Knoxville.  That  is? 
any  approach  of  the  euemy  through  Cumberland  or  Big  Creek  Gaps 
to  Clinton  or  from  Montacillo  Kentucky  to  Knoxville  Teiri.  Early 
in  Sept.  1863  the  Brigade  was  ordered  to  reinforce  Gen.  Bragg,  near 
Chattanooga,  when  the  58th  was  assigned  to  Kelley's  Brigade  of 
Preston's  Division  in  Buckner's  Corps.  In  the  battle  of  Chickamau- 
gii  Sept.  19th  20th  the  regiment  bore  a  prominant  part,  and  in  the 
charge  which  captured  the  strong  hold  of  the  euemy  on  Snodgrass 
Hill,  at  the  close  of  that  eventful  Sunday,  the  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  over  half  of  those  carried  into  action. 

"The  report  of  Col.  Palmer,  made  on  the 
succeeding  day,  gives  the  mimes  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  and 
makes  the  loss  in  his  regiment:  killed  46;  wounded  114;  missing  1; 
total  161;  over  50  per  cent,  of  the  number  carried  into  action. "  The 
above  quotation  is  taken  from  Maj.  Harper's  history  of  the  58th  regi- 
ment North  Carolina  troops.     Page  8. 

"It  will  be  seen  by  referiug  to  the  official  reports  that  the  casualties 
in  the  regiment  exceeded  the  combined  loss  of  the  regiments  of  the 
Brigade. 


5 

A  steel  tablet,  erected  by  the  Chickamauga  National  Park  Com- 
mission, marks  the  positon  on  the  crest  reached  by  the  Regiment  at 
sunset.  Avhen  the  prisoners  were  captured  and  the  battle  ended,  and 
bears  the  following  inscription,  to  wit: 

"KELLY'S  BRIGADE, 
Preston's  Division  —  Buckner's  Corps. 

COL.  JOHN  H.  KELLY 
Sept.  20th  1863,  7  P.  M.,  Last  Position. 

65th  Georgia  —  Col.  R.  H.  Moore. 
5th  Kentucky  —  Col.  Hiram  Hawkins. 
58th  North  Carolina  —  Col.  J.  B.  Palmer. 
63rd  Virginia — Maj.  James  M.  French." 

The  above  quotation  from  Maj.  Harper's  History  58th  North 
CarolinaRegiment,  page  8. 

From  the  foregoing  reports,  it  would  seem  to  those  not  aquainted 
with  the  position  of  the  enemy,  that  the  field  officers  of  the  58th  N.C. 
Reg.  were  at  fault;  owing  to  the  excessive  loss;  but  this  view  would 
be  erroneous,  and  do  them  an  injustice.  It  so  happened  that  the 
position  of  the  58th  fronted  and  charged  the  enemy,  who  were  be- 
hind a  breast  work  of  logs,  on  top  of  the  hill.  They  reserved  their 
fire  till  we  were  within  about  forty  or  fifty  yards  of  their  works, 
when  they  poured  a  deadly  fire  into  our  ranks,  to  which  the  other 
regiments  were  not  so  much  exposed.  Col.  Palmer  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Kirby  at  the  head  of  the  Regiment — every  co.  officer  was  at  his  post, 
and  occupied  the  position  assigned  them.  Not  an  officer  nor  private 
shirked  duty,  to  my  knowledge;  but  each  stood  shoulder  to  shoul- 
der with  their  comrades.  By  a  flank  movement  the  right  flank  of 
Rosecrans'  army  was  cut  off  and  captured,  251  surrendering  to  Kel 
ley's  Brigade.  Rosecrans'  center  being  broken,  his  right  wing 
with  him  in  command,  was  completely  routed,  and  fell  back  to 
Chattanooga—  Gen.  Thomas  holding  a  strong  position  on  Mission- 
ary Ridge,  long  enough  to  save  the  army  from  utter  ruin. 

Bragg  moved  forward  and  invested  Chattanooga,  almost  surroun- 
ded the  Union  army.  In  this  engagement  Rosecrans' army  num- 
bered 55,000,  while  the  Confederates  not  more  than  40,000  includ- 
ing 5,000  reinforcements  under  Gen.  Longstreet  from  Lee's  army. 
The  loss  of  the  Confederates  was  heavy — not  less  than  10,000;  while 
the  Federal  loss  was  fully  20,000  men,  (8,000  of  whom  were  pris- 
oners) besides  49  pieces  of  artillery,  and  15,000  small  arms.  In 
this  great  battle  the  Watauga  boys  did  their  duty  one  and  all. 

On  the  4th  of  July  1863  Pemberton  surrendered  Vicksburg  to 
Grant  with  a  garrison  of  30,000  men.  Grant  and  Sherman  reinforc- 
ed Rosecrans  at  Chattanooga.     Longstreet  was  sent  against     Gen. 


Burnside  at  Knoxville.  While  Bragg  was  thus  weakened,  Grant 
planned  and  executed  those  movements  of  his  forces  which  result- 
ed in  a  signal  victory  for  the  Federals.  On  November  25th,  Sher- 
man was  ordered  to  attack  Bragg's  right,  which  was  promptly  car- 
ried out.  The  writer  well  remembers  the  position  of  the  58th  which 
wasdeployed  in  the  ditches  at  the  foot  of  Missionary  Eidge,  with 
orders  to  fallback  to  the  top  of  the  ridge  when  the  enemy  came  in 
sight — the  land  being  cleared  for  about  300  yards  in  our  front. 
Wheo  the  federal  lines  came  from  the  woods,  our  batteries  opened 
fire  from  the  top  of  the  ridge  in  our  rear,  and  the  earth  fairly  trem- 
bled, and  the  58th  commenced  the  retreat  up  the  steep  hill  to  the 
top  of  the  ridge,  a  gap  being  left  of  about  150  yards  for  the  Begi- 
ment  to  fill;  with  a  battery  of  two  guns.  When  the  Federal  lines 
got  within  reach,  all  the  boys  opened  fire,  the  lines  began  to  waver 
and  turn  back.  Being  rallied  by  their  officers,  on  they  came  anoth- 
er volley  from  our  muskets  with  the  aid  of  the  battery  with  grape 
and  cauister,  and  they  fall'baekaud  move  to  the  right  and  left— oc- 
cupying two  deep  gorges  and  pressi  ng  up  with  all  speed,  our  men 
at  the  head  of  these  gorges  tumbled  rocks  down  on  this  vast  host, 
but  on  they  came,  oh  the  right  of  the  position  occupied  by  the  58th 
they  broke  our  weak  line  and  occupied  the  top  of  the  hill,  a  position 
commanding  a  considerable  distance  on  our  right.  We  were  there- 
fore ordered'to  fall  back  and  occupy  a  new  position,  forming  a  line 
of  battle  across  the  road  near  the  base  of  the  ridge.  Here  occurred 
a  stubborn  fight  which  was  kept  up  till  long  after  dark. 

The  opposing  force,  led  by  Geu.  Sheriden,  in  several  charges  was 
handsomely  repulsed.  Bragg  was,  by  request,  relieved  of  the  com 
mandaid  superseded  by  Gen.  Joseph  ht  Johnson.  Gen.  Bragg  has 
been  criticized  in  the  way  he  conducted  this  battle,  but  the  great 
trouble  was,  that  he  did  not  have  men  enough  to  oppose  the  super- 
ior force  brought  against  him.  Bosecrans'  army,  before  Grant  and 
Sherman  reinforced  it,  ontnumberod  Bragg's  by  ten  or  fifteen  thou- 
sand. After  their  arrival,  they  must  have  had  near  100,000  or  per 
haps  more.  While  Bragg  only  had  about  30,000.  The  command 
went  into  winter  quarters  at  Daltou,  Georgia,  under  Gen.  Joseph 
Johnson. 

.       ••  -■'-*• 


•I,    ......  •>  .ml)  Mb  9 

[ bail 


7 
The  Watauga  Boys. 

CHAPTER  III. 
D  alton  to  Atlanta. 

Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnson  occupied  a  position  at  Dalton  Ga.  and 
there  passed  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864  in  recruiting,  organizing 
and  equipping  the  army,  raising  the  number  to  about  45,000  men. 
In  the  spring  of  1864,  and  at  the  same  time  Grant  put  his  vast  ar- 
my in  motion  against  Gen.  Lee.  Sherman  advanced  on  Dalton  with 
a  force  of  about  200,000  men  and  254  cannon  May  the  6th.  Finding 
Johnston's  position  too  strong  to  be  assaulted,  Gen  McPherson  was 
sent  through  Snake  Gap  to  turn  it,  while  Gen.  Thomas  and  Schofield 
threatened  it  in  front  and  on  the  North.  The  movement  was  suc- 
cessful. Sherman  with  his  vast  numbers  could  by  his  flanking  in 
this  way  force  Gen.  Johnston  to  retreat,  or  his  line  of  communication 
would  be  cut  off.  Gen  Johnston  finding  his  line  of  retreat  about  to 
be  cut  off,  fell  back  to  his  fortified  position  at  Eesaca.  Here  he  was 
attacked,  and  a  heavy  battle  ensued  May  the  15th.  Here  the  58th 
Regiment  was  placed  on  the  right  to  prevent  the  extension  of  the 
left  wing  of  Sherman's  line,  while  the  battle  raged  furiously  in  the 
center,  both  lines,  being  intrenched,  we  had  not  long  to  wait.  Col. 
Dula  received  orders  to  charge  the  extended  line.  We  went  a  short 
distance  common  time,  then  quick — double  quick,  and  raised  the 
rebel  yell  and  the  Federal  line  gave  way.  We  drove  them  past  their 
intrenchmeuts,  when  we  were  halted  and  ordered  back  in  reserve, 
where  we  remained  but  a  short  time,  being  ordered  to  strengthen  a 
threatened  position  near  the  center.  Gen.  Johnston  finding  his  rear 
again  threatened  retreated  across  the  Resaca  river  after  night.  The 
58th  coveriug  the  retreat,  was  the  last  troops  to  cross  the  river.  It 
was  exposed  to  a  terrible  cannonade  from  the  enemey's  guns  Gen. 
Johnston's  rear  guard  was  attacked  at  Adairsville,  where  severe 
skirmishing  ensued.  He  continued  his  retreat  in  good  order  until 
the  19th  when  he  crossed  Etowah  river  unmolested.  Sherman  after 
resting  a  few  days,  put  his  army  in  motion  for  Dallas,  with  a  view 
to  turn  the  difficult  pass  of  Alatoona.  On  the  25th  Gen.  Hooker 
had  a  severe  battle  with  a  part  of  Hood's  and  Hardee's  corps  at  New- 
hope  church  which  resulted  in  nothing  advantageous  to  either  the 
Federals  or  con  federates.  The  58th  was  in  the  charge  made  upon  the 
enemy's  entrenched  position  at  New  Hope  Church. 

For  several  days  the  maneuvering  and  skirmishing  was  kept  up 
around  and  in  the  vacinity  Of  Dallas,  without  material  advantage  to 
either  party.  Gmi  June  the  4th  Gen.  Johnston  retreated  to  the  strong 
position  of,  Pine,  Kenesaw,  and  Lost  mountains. 


8 

For  several  days  there  was  incessant  skirmishing.  In  the  mean- 
time the  Federal  army  was  reinforced  by  Gen.  Blair,  with  two  di. 
visions  of  the  seventeenth  army  corps;  and  the  Confederate  army  by 
the  Georgia  militia. 

On  the  14th  of  June  General  Leonidas  Polk  was  killed  by  an  ex- 
ploding Shell,  while  standing  with  Generals  Johnston  and  Hardin, 
on  the  crest  of  Pine  Mountain,  a  few  paces  in  the  rear  of  the  position 
occupied  by  the  58th.  After  much  maneuvering  flanking  and  skir- 
mishing, Sherman  de cided  to  attack  Johnston.  On  the  28th  Gens 
Thomas  and  McPherson  made  a  determined  assault  on  Johnston's 
works,  but  were  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter.  Sherman,  with- 
out renewing  the  attack,  the  next  day  renewed  his  tactics  of  using 
his  superior  numbers  in  flanking.  In  other  words  by  fortifying  in 
front  of  Johnston's  line  and  then  moving  all  his  great  hosts  around 
threatening  his  rear — his  line  of  communication.  In  this  way  he 
could  compel  him  to  withdraw.  Johnston  retreated  in  good  order 
faom  his  position  on  Kenesaw  and  crossed  the  Chattahoochee  river 
July  the  4th.  The  rear  guard  repulsed  an  attack  and  held  the  ene- 
my in  check  till  the  wagon  and  ambulance  trains  were  safe  across 
the  river.  The  58th  participated  in  this  action,  being  a  part  of  the 
rear  guard.  Both  armies  rested  in  comparative  quiet,  the  time  be- 
ing occupied  by  Sherman  in  making  arrangements  for  crossing  the 
Chattahoochee,  and  turning  Johnston's  position,  which  had  been 
carefully  chosen,  and  strongly  fortified.  On  the  17th  Sherman 
crossed  the  Chattahoochee  and  by  the  20th  had,  by  his  flank  move 
ments,  forced  Gen.  Johnston  to  occupy  the  defences  around  Atlan- 
ta. Here  Johnston  was,  by  order  of  President  Davis,  superseeded 
in  command  by  Gen.  J.  B.  Hood.  Here  ends  the  campaign  from 
Dalton  to  Atlanta. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  superiority  of  members  Gen. Sherman 
had,  Gen.  Johnston  had  so  baffled  his  movements,  that  it  took  him 
nearly  three  months  to  reach  Atlanta,  a  distance  of  about  400  miles 
While  Johnston's  loss  did  not  exceed  5,000,  that  of  Sherman  was 
not  much  less  than  60,000.  More  than  Johnston's  command. 
Alexander  H.  Stephens  in  his  history  of  the  U.S.  says  that  uSher 
man's  loss  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta,  equaled  that  of  Grant's  from 
the  Bapidan  to  Cold  Harbor,  which  was  60,000  men."  Johnston 
had  so  baffled  aud  stayed  Sherman's  progress,  and  had  inflicted  such 
loss  upon  his  vast  forces,  that  he  could  soon  have  given  him  battle  on 
something  like  equal  numbers,  had  he  been  left  in  command. 

Atlanta  was  strongly  fortified  and  had  the  defence  been  properly 
conducted  Sherman  would  have  suffered  great  loss  before  taking  it. 

The  change  of  commanders  had  a  desperate  effect  upon  the  Con- 
federate army. 


i  9 

The  Watauga  Boys. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Defence  of  Atlanta, 

Gen.  J.  B.  Hood  took  command  of  the  Confederate  forces  at  At- 
lanta July  the  20th.  The  58th  regiment  now  belonged  to  Reynold's 
brigade.  In  occupying  the  fortifications  assigned  to  this  brigade, 
we  found  the  intrenchments  filled  to  overflowing  with  Georgia  mi- 
litia. The  General  rode  up,  and  gave  the  command  in  an  extremely 
loud  voice;  "Get  out  of  the  ditches  'Milish'  and  let  the  veterans  in.'* 
Gen.  Hood  immediately  assumed  the  offensive  and  made  several  as- 
saults oh  Sherman's  lines.  The  most  determined  attack  was  made 
on  July  22,  during  which  Gen.  McPherson  was  killed,  who  command 
ed  a  strong  fortified  position  on  Sherman's  left.  Hood  Avas  repuls- 
ed with  heavy  loss.  Hindma's  splendid  division  was  badly  crippl- 
ed, which  suffered  the  greatest  loss  in  these  engagements. 

I  here  quote  from  H.  D.  Northrop's  History  of  the  U.  S;:  "The 
Confederate  loss  in  the  battles  of  Atlanta  was  about  12,000  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners.    The  loss  of  the  Federals  was  3,722." 

A.  H.  Stephens  in  his  history  Of  the  U.  S.  gives  the  Confederate 
loss  in  all  the  battles  of  Atlauta;  "at  about  8, 000."  Had  Gen.  Jos- 
eph Johnston  been  kept  in  command,  the  loss  ho  doubt,  would  have 
been  much  the  heaviest  on  the  Federal  side.  Hood  could  not  repair 
theselosses.  Sherman  having  perhaps  more  than'  twice  as  many  men 
as  Hood,  kept  extending  his  lines  around  the  city,  fortifying  and 
strengthening  his  works  at  every  point  where  ail  attack  would  like- 
ly be  made,  and  throwing  shells'  into  the  city.  Sherman  finally 
withdrew  the  left  wing  of  his  army  and  threw  it  between  Hardee's 
corps  and  Atlanta  which  compelled  Hood  to  evacuate  the  £ity, 
which  was  done  on  the  1st  of  Sept.  J  well  remember  the  night  that 
Sherman  evacuated  his  fortifications:  I  was  on  guard  dirty  between 
the  two  lines,  about  midnight  they  commenced  car/nonacling,  and 
throwing  shells  into  the  city.  We  expected  every  moment  that  they 
were  going  to  charge  our  lines,  but  the  cannons  all  stopped  firing, 
and  when  daylight  came,  to  our  surprise  there  was  not  a  "Yankee" 
in  our  front.  We  moved  forward  and  inspected  the  deserted  works 
but  in  a  short  time  we  also  left  ours  and  moved  to  the  left  where  we 
confronted  the  enemy  at  Jonesboro,  where  we  found  the  enemy  oc- 
cupying a  chosen  position,  fortified  on  a  ridge,  which  Reynolds' 
Brigade  was  ordered  to  charge.  The  58th  in  this  charge  advanced 
further  than  any  of  the  command  and  received  a  terrible  enfilading 
fire.  The  position  being  too  strong  to  be  taken  by  our  weak  force, 
we  fell  back  to  our  original  position.       On    the    2nd   ofSeptenber 


10 
Sherman  marched  his  army  near  Newman,  Ga.  where  he  projected 
his  Tennessee  campaign. 

We  will  now  leave  Sherman  in    possession  of  his  prize,  and  go 
with  Hood  on  his  great  back  track  campaign. 


The  Watauga  Boys. 

CHAPTER  V. 
Gen.  Hood's  Tennessee  Campaign. 

Hood  recruited  his  army  to  about  35,000  men  and  started  on  his 
Tennessee  campaign  September  the  28th  1864.  He  marched  thrugh 
Georgia  and  Northern  Alabama.  After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  Rey- 
nol's  Brigade  was  consolidated  with  Brown's  Tennessee  Brigade  and 
commanded  by  Gen.  Joseph  B  Palmer  a  gallant  officer,  under  whom 
the  Regiment  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  the  march  to 
Nashville  the  railroad  was  destroyed  in  many  places,  North  of  At- 
lanta the  garrisons  at  Resaca  and  Dalton  were  captured.  The  army 
suffered  great  privation  on  this  long  march  from  lack  of  provison 
and  clothing.  The  writer  remembers  the  less  than  half  ration  issu- 
ed, and  the  men  were  compelled  to  make  their  ration  for  the  day  fol- 
lowing by  parching  corn  which  continued  all  night,  each  mess  tak- 
ing it  by  turns,  keeping  all  the  pans  hot  all  night..  The  armycros- 
S3d  the  Tennessee  River  at  Florence,  Ala.  Nov.  the  2nd,  but  was  un 
fortunately  detained  there  till  the  20th  waiting  for  supplies.  The 
58th  Regiment  was  in  the  advance,  pushing  the  retreating  enemy, 
and  driving  them  across  Duck  River,  leaving  Columbia  in  our  pos- 
session. The 58th,  under  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Silver,  was  ordered 
to  take  possession  of  the  fort  the  prisouers  placed  under  his  charge, 
while  the  army  advanced  on  to  Franklin,  where  a  bloody  battle  was 
fought  between  Hood  and  Schofield,  Nov.  30th.  Jn  this  engagement 
Hood  was  victorious.  ^^ 

The  Regimeut  under  Lieutenant  Col.  Silver  with  the  prisoners  it 
had  captured  and  others  sent  to  it  (all  together  about  1700)  was 
left  as  a  garrison  for  the  fjrt,  and  town,  aud  thus  missed  the  battles 
of  Franklin  aud  Nashville,  and  later  on  Hood's  disasterous  retreat, 
by  being  ordered,  Dec.  14th  to  Corinth  Miss,  with  the  prisoners 

At  Corinth  the  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  another  command 
and  the  58th  was  sent  Dec.  26th  to  Okolona  Miss,  to   intercept  and 

drive  off  a  cavalry  raid  which   had  cut  the  railroad  near  that  point. 

On  the  return  of  the  remnant  of  Hood's  army  the  58th  Regimentre- 
joined  the  Brigade,    still    commanded  by    Gen.  Palmer  and  with  it 


11 

moved  by  rail  to  Branehville,  S.  C.  By  placing  Hood  in  command 
at  Atlanta,  great  gloom  fell  upon  the  army  and  now  to  look  upon 
its  shattered  columns  as  it  staggers  back,  it  would  seem  to  the  most 
thoughtful,  that  men  in  their  pight  could  never  be  ralied  and  carri- 
ed into  battle  again.  "But  as  the  campaign  advances  we  see  later  on 
that  the  spirit  of  patriotism  is  not  crushed  when  under  a  command- 
er in  whom  they  can  trust. 

Confederate  money  now  being  worthless  the  soldiers  were,  as  they 
well  knew,  serving  their  country  without  pay  and  living  on  short 
ration,  still  they  performed  their  duty  without  a  murmur. 


The  Watauga  Boys. 

CHAPTEB  VI. 

The  Last  Campaign.     The  Last  Battle. 

We  left  Sherman  at  Atlanta  where  he  remained  till  Nov.  16th 
On  the  night  of  the  15th  Atlanta  was  burned.  He  then  started  on 
his  march  of  devastation,  with  a  force  of  60,000  men  for  Savannah, 
sending  Gen  Thomas  back  with  his  corps  to  watch  Gen.  Hood's 
movements.  "Two  lines  of  railroad  connect  Atlanta  with  the  sea- 
board,one  by  Augusta,  through  South  Carolina  to  Charleston,  308 
miles;  the  other  through  Macon  to  Savannah,  293  miles.  Between 
these  two  roads,  from  40  to  100  miles  apart,  Sherman  marched,  his 
wings  overlapping  them.  Two  hundred  miles  of  railroad  were  de- 
stroyed, the  rails  were  heated  and  twisted,  every  tie,  bridge,  tank, 
woodshed,  and  depot,  was  burned  and  every  culvert  was  blown  up. 
All  the  cotton  discovered  was  burned— about  15,000  bales.  All  the 
cattle,  horses,  mules,  hogs  and  poultry  were  taken,  and  either  con- 
sumed on  the  way,  or  brought  to  Savannah.  Private  dwellings  also 
were  robbed  and  burned.  A  tornado's  path  burnt  by  fire,  could 
not  have  been  more  destructive. "  (H.D.  Northrop's  History  of 
the  TJ-.  S.  Page  324  and  325. ) 

Jt  will  be  remembered  that  Sherman  had  no  available  force  to  op- 
pose him  on  his  march  to  destruction.  On  Jan.  15th  he  set  out  from 
Savannah  to  Charleston. 

On  the  4th  of  Feb.  the  remnant  of  Hood's  army  confronted  Sher- 
man at  Branchville  S.  C,  Gen.  Johnston  being  placed  in  command, 
was  concentrating  his  forces  east  of  Baleigh.  The  58th  Regimentcom- 
manded  by  Maj.  G.  W.F  Harper  was  sent  to  Shillings  bridge  to  dis- 
pute the  passage  of  the  enemy,  and  delay  their  crossing  North  Edisto 
river  till  the  army  could  fall  back  to  Columbia.  The  courier  sent  to 
Maj.  Harper  with  orders  to  retire,  having  been  captured,  caused  the 


12 
Maj  to  keep  up  the  fight  at  the  bridge,  which  we  held  and  prevented 
the  enemy  from  crossing.  Keeping  up  an  incessant  fire  iu  our  front, 
they  extended  their  line  up  the  river  and  beyond  our  right ahd  cross- 
ed the  river  in  considerable  force,  and  advanced  on  our  right,  and 
had  us  nearly  cut  off  from  the  Columbia  road,  the  only  line  of  retreat. 

By  the  skillful  maneuvers  of  Major  Harper  he  got  out  of  the  trap 
with  the  lois  of  only  two  of  his  men,  who  were  captured.  One  of 
those  men  who  were  captured  in  this  engagement  told  me  after  the 
surrender,  that  after  they  took  and  pillaged  Columbia,  that  on  the 
march  from  that  place  that  hundreds  of  the  Federal  soldiers  were 
burned  to  death,  where  they  set  fire  to  the  pine  orchards,  being 
drunk  from  the  liquor  taken  at  Columbia.  On  every  road  the  ene- 
my's marched,  could  be  seen,  vast  columns  of  smoke,  which  told  of 
the  awful  destruction  that  was  going  on  and  which  awaited  those  in 
Sherman's  broad  pith.  In  South  Carolina,  like  it  had  been  in  Geor- 
gia, thousmds  of  the  poor  were  destined  to  famish,  every  thing  be 
ing  destroyed  on  which  man  or  beast  could  subsist.  As  Sheridan 
said  of  the  complete  destruction  of  everything  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley,  "that  a  crow  could  not  fly  over  it  without  taking  its  rations 
with  it."  The  citizens  offered,  and  insisted  on  the  Confederate  sol 
diers  taking  all  their  substance  they  could  make  use  of.  After  the 
evacuation  of  Columbia  by  our  small  force.  Sherman  burned  the 
city  on  the  17th  of  Feb.  Palmer's  brigade,  to  which  the  58th  be- 
longed, left  Columbia  Feb.  17th  and  reached  Charlotte  on  the  23rd 
from  which  point  a  week  later,  it  went  by  rail  to  Smithfield,  below 
Italeigh  where  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  was  concentrating  his 
small  army,  aud  reorganizing  it  by  consolidating  companies  and  Eeg 
iments.  He  here  awaited  the  approach  of  Sherman,  who  was  march 
ing  on  Raleigh  by  way  of  Wilmington. 

We  all  knew  that  we  were  hemmed  up  between  Grant  and  Sher- 
man, and  that  the  "jig  was  about  up."  But  when  Gen,  Jo.  John- 
ston gave  orders  on  th  18th  of  March,  to  move  out  to  meet  our  old 
enemy  (Sherman)  the  men  marched  as  spiritedly  as  if  they  knew 
that  they  were  going  to  drive  that  Yankee  host  into  the  Atlantic  O- 
cean.  The  presence  of  Gen.  Johnston  in  command,  inspired  the  full- 
est confidence  in  the'small  army. 

Gen.  Johnston  left  Smithfield  Mch.  18th  and  made  a  forced  march 
loBentonsville,  where  a  concentration  was  affected  with  Hardee's 
corps  from  Charleston,  Hoke's  Division  and  other  troops  from  Eas- 
tern N.  C.  Sherman  had  formed  his  line  of  battle  in  a  pine  grove, 
aud  fortified  it  behind  a  fence.  Ge»?.  Johnston,  on  the  19th,  after 
reconoitering  the  position  of  the  enemy,  drew  up  his  men  in  Hue  of 
battle.  Palmer's  Brigade  was  selected  as  the  directing  column  for 
the  Army  of  Tenu.  in  the  assault  on  the  enemy's  line. 


13 
The  charge  was  made  with  great  spirit  and  dash,  and  the  enemy 
entrenched  and  with  a  high  fence  built  in  their  front,  gave  way  be 
fore  inflicting  great  loss  on  their  assailants.  The  enemy  were  com- 
pletely routed.  In  the  pursuit  which  followed,  two  Pieces  of  Artil- 
lery, limbering  with  all  haste  to  the  rear,  were  captured  and  driven 
back  into  our  lines  with  their  teams  com  plete.  In  running  down  and 
taking  the  guns  some  of  the  artillerymen  were  shot  while  on  the 
chests,  and  the  old  pine  field  was  streAvn  with  blankets,  provisions 
and  plunder  of  all  sorts  thrown  away  by  the  flying  foe.  The  rapid 
pursuit  over  fences  and  a  deep  ravine  so  scattered  the  attacking  col- 
umn that  a  halt  was  made  to  reform — this  a  half  a  mile  or  more  be- 
yond the  entrenchments  charged,  and  there  was  not  an  enemy  in 
sight,  nor  a  gun  nearby  being  fired.  Before  the  line  was  complete- 
ly adj  usted  the  reserves  came  up  in  splendid  order.  Pettus'  Brigade 
in  support  of  Palmer  now  took  the  advance,  and  in  a  short  time 
struck  the  enemy,  reinforced  in  a  new  position-  Our  lines  having 
become  too  short  for  the'eirele so  extended  by  pushing  back  the  ene- 
my. Most  the  Regiment  of  Palmer's  Brigade,  were  promptly  mov- 
ed up  to  fill  the  gaps  in  the  front  line,  which  was  now  in  the  thick 
pine  woods.  The  58th  N.  C.  on  the  left  of  the  Brigade,  under  the 
direction  of  a  staff  officer,  was  moved  up  in  support  of,  and  close  to, 
the  front  line, here  passing  south,  and  at  the  time  hotly  engaged. 
Firing  was  also  going  on  the  right,  extending  partly  to  the  rear, 
but  not  so  near,  and  a  battery  of  artillery  kept  up  a  most  aggrava- 
ting enfilading  fire  over  the  Regiment  which  would  have  made  the 
position  extremely  uncomfortable  if  the  gunners  had  slightly  de- 
pressed their  pieces.  As  it  was,  very  little  could  be  seen  for  the 
smoke  which  filled  the  woods,  and  theground  gently  rising  toward 
the  battery,  their  shells  for  an  hour  fiew  almost  harmlesslythrough 
the  timber,  some  10  feet  over  head,  and  most  of  them  burst  in  rear 
Above  from  Maj.  Harper's  history  of  the  58th  N.C.  Reg.  p.  14-15. 
The  enemy  extending  their  left  flank,  the  58th  was  moved  to  the 
right  where  the  repeated  assaults  of  the  enemy  were  repulsed  i  n 
heavy  force  till  8  o'clock  at  night,  when  the  firing  ceased,  and  at 
midnight  the  army  resumed  the  positions  of  the  morning.  Gen. 
Sherman  having  male  a  junction  with  Schofield,  made  his  forces  too 
great  to  be  opposed  by  Gen.  Johnston,  consequently,  he  fell  back 
in  good  order  unmolested,  and  reached  Greensboro  the  16th  ot  Apr 
1865.  On  the  27th  of  April  General  orders  announcing  the  sur. 
render  of  the  army  was  received.  The  paroles  were  distributed  to 
the  Regiment  May  the  2d  which  immediately,  as  an  organized  bo- 
dy, marched  to  Statesville,  where  the  troops  from  Ashe  Co.  were 
discharged,  and  the  Companies  from  Watauga  marched  by  way  of 
Lenoir.     Capt.  B.  F.  Baird  who  had  procured  a  wagon  and  team  at 


14 
Greensboro,     hauled  the  sick  of  Co.  D.  and  Co  I.  to  Boone  where 
they  were  disbanded.     Thus  ends  the  war  between  the  two  sections. 

Much  has  been  said  about  the  Justice  of  the  lost  cause,  but  time 
has  proven  that  the  cause  for    whieh  we  fought  was  Just. 

The  war  was  gotten  up  by  political  schemers  North,  with  a  view 
to  obtain  the  reigns  of  Government  and  to  grow  rich  therefrom.  A 
scheme  in  which  they  succeeded.  Might  often  overcomes  right. 
In  this  case  it  was  so.  To  show  their  vast  strength  we  quote  from 
authentic  records  as  follows:  The  whole  number  of  Confederate  sol- 
diers (officers  and  men)  surrendered  at  the  close  of  the  war  was 
150,000.  The  number  of  Union  soldiers  then  in  the  field,  and  mus 
tered  out  of  service  was  1,050,000.     What  a  contrast! 

The  great  powers  of  Europe  joined  together  with  their  great 
superior  strength,  overpowered  and  dismembered  Poland,  robbed 
her  of  her  honor,  glory,  and  property,  and  then  divided  the  spoils 
—  her  domain,  between  them.     Was  this  right?     No. 

The  James  and  Younger  Brothers  stopped  and  robbed  trains,  — 
robbed  banks,  and  shot  down  individuals.  Was  this  right?  No! 
No!  a  thousand  times  No! 

Neither  was  it  right  for  W.T.Sherman,  Kilpatrick,  Stoneman, 
Sheridan,  Grierson,  and  hundreds  of  others  we  might  mention,  to 
rob  the  South.  If  the  U.S.  had  decided  to  free  the  slaves;  why  did 
not  they  free  them,  and  pay  the  owners,  as  England  did? 
The  cost  of  the  war — to  say  nothing  of  the  noble  men  who  fell  in 
the  struggle —  would  have  paid  for  all  the  slaves  and  colonized 
them  in  Africa,  their  native  country. 


Laurels  unfairly  won  quickly  wither, 

While  truth  and  honesty  will  live  and  bloom  forever. 


15 

I  here  append  an  extract  from  a  letter  irom  Mr.  E.  G.  Young,  an 
old  comrade  of  DeKalbe,  Tex.  who  .served  with  us  through  the 
ca  mpaignswhich  I  have  described. 

J  am  an  old  Confederate  soldier.  I  enlisted  in  June  1861,  at  Oce- 
ola,  Ark.  First  went  to  Memphis,  Term,  then  to  Fort  Pillow,  where 
we  were  put  into  the  8th  Arkansas,  then  went  to  Columbus  Ky. 
We  tried  to  make  them  pay  us,  tried  to  mutiny,  and  the  Colonel 
cursed  and  said  we  slept  on  government  blankets  and  ate  govern- 
ment grub,  and  then  wanted  pay. 

Some  men  were  captured  who  had  deserted,  and  were  court  mar- 
tialed.  Their  shirts  were  pulled  off  and  their  hands  tied  behind  them 
Each  man  was  hit  fifty  lashes  on  his  bare  back  and  branded  with 
the  letter  "D"  on  right  cheek  and  were  drummed  out  of  the  brigade. 

On  the  21th  of  Dec.  we  were  ordered  to  Bowling  Green  Ky.  We 
had  bought  our  Christmas  liquor  and  when  our  Co.  got  to  Nashville 
there  were  not  sober  men  enough  to  drag  the  drunken  ones  out  of  the 
car. 

We  fortified  the  Bowling  Green  hill,  and  when  we  heard  of  the 
fall  of  Fort  Donaldson,  Johnston,  seeing  he  was  getting  into  deep 
water,  took  us  to  Corinth.  There  we  had  things  our  way  till  John- 
ston fell.  Then  Beaureguard  took  command.  We  came  close  to 
getting  into  a  fight  Monday  evening.  We  then  retreated  to  Cor- 
inth, where  1  bade  the  Eighth  adieu.  Then  we  joined  the  Ninth 
Arkansas  and  went  to  Mississippi  and  had  a  battle  at  Black  Eiver 
Bridge,  where  our  regiment  was  cut  to  pieces.  I  was  wounded  at 
Jackson  and  was  in  the  hospital  six  months,  but  returned  to  the 
service  just  before  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  I  was  in  that  bat- 
tle and  that  of  Kenesaw  Mountain.  Was  in  the  72-days  march  from 
Dalton  to  Atlanta,  and  in  the  battles  of  Atlanta  and  Jouesboro. 

We  then  started  back  to  Nashville,  and  from  there  to  Franklin, 
the  bloodiest  place  I  saw  during  the  war.  We  went  from  there  to 
Nashville  and  then  to  North  Carolina.  The  last  time  1  saw  Gen. 
Hood  was  when  we  crossed  the  Tennessee  Eiver.  In  N.  C.  we  were 
reorganized,  and  had  the  battle  of  Winesburg. 


